Kurt Lewin's Field Theory: A Review and Re‐evaluation

Field theory was central to K urt L ewin's work yet, after his death, interest in it declined significantly until the 1990s when a variant, force field analysis, became widely used. This paper examines the origins, purpose and continuing relevance of field theory. It especially looks at the influences of gestalt psychology, topology and E rnst C assirer's philosophy of science on its development. It argues that L ewin's attempt to replace conventional topology with his own L ewinian mathematics‐based topology in pursuit of scientific rigour resulted in the undermining of its relevance. The paper also compares force field analysis with L ewin's original conception of field theory and shows that it has significant weaknesses in terms of rigour. It concludes that a return to L ewin's original conception of field theory, based on gestalt psychology and conventional topology, can provide academics and practitioners with a valuable and much‐needed approach to managing change.